September 06, 2005

KILDARE RAILWAY STATION ALMOST BURNED TO THE GROUND

Only a couple of months after the civil war executions Kildare Railway Station went suspiciously on fire.

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Leinster Leader 24/ 2/1923 p. 2

Fire at Kildare Railway Station
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There was a rumour current early on Monday that the entire railway station premises at Kildare had been burned to the ground. Inquiry, however, showed that through the efforts of the Curragh Fire Brigade the fire was confined to the booking office, and the residential portion of the premises. At about 9.30 the Civic Guard at Kildare were informed that portion of the premises was on fire and on proceeding there they found the ticket office ablaze. The Curragh Fire Brigade arrive in a very short time and working up to 11.30 managed to confine the fire to the ticket office. The Station Master with his family, lives immediately over the booking office. The stationmaster was very fortunate in escaping. They lost, it is stated, a considerable quantity of furniture and personal belongings in the fire. Having left before midnight the Fire Brigade were again called to the railway station at 6.30 on Tuesday morning as the fire had again broken out. Some office furniture, stationery, etc., were lost in the fire. The Brigade continued until 8.45 in the morning when the fire was completely subdued. It is not known how the fire originated.